International Field Seminars

International Field Seminars are offered to those graduate students who seek to learn outside the classroom and beyond the book. Students begin their studies in a Boston classroom with preliminary research and complete the program abroad, speaking with the CEOs and managers of the most relevant companies and organizations in the area. We offer seminars to Brazil,India, Europe and Asia.

Our Brazil Field Seminar is focused on sustainability and public and nonprofit management. It is designed for MBA students who seek to understand the changing role of business in society, specifically as it pertains to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development

Brazil Field Seminar

We will explore the potential for business to address sustainability challenges through technical innovations, business practices, entrepreneurial initiatives and new business models designed to alleviate social or environmental conditions, make more efficient use of energy and natural resources, provide adequate health and education services, lower risk, create value and cause less harm to society in both urban and rural settings.

Time spent in Brazil allows students to witness the development and application of sustainable business models and practices first- hand, through the eyes of managers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and consumers.

The Brazilian Field Seminar is designed to help students:

Develop a basic understanding of current global sustainability challenges

Compare and contrast different approaches to corporate social responsibility in Brazil

Understand the opportunities and challenges of a variety of Brazilian sustainable business models and practices

Learn how to identify business opportunities for sustainable services and products that meet the needs of emerging markets

Experience the social and cultural context within which businesses and NGOs operate

Explore and develop a personal framework related to the role of business in society.

The travel leg of the program lasts about two weeks, and the program fee, in addition to the standard tuition, covers intra-continental travel, lodging, breakfasts, and local transport, as well as site admissions and guided tours. Students will go on-site to companies and organizations that represent core concepts students study in the months leading up to the trip. In addition to hands-on learning, students are given ample time in the evening and on weekends to explore the culture of the destination countries.

We also offer the following field seminars:

India

India Field Seminar

This field study program will include visits to government agencies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health sector start-up companies, health centers, research laboratories, and academic research settings. Learn More About the India Field Seminar.

Following a series of meetings in Boston, students will travel through India visiting Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The travel leg of the program lasts about two weeks, and the program fee, in addition to the standard tuition, covers intra-continental travel, lodging, breakfasts, and local transport, as well as site admissions and guided tours. In addition to hands-on learning, students are given ample time in the evening and on weekends to explore the culture of the destination countries.

The field study program will include visits to government agencies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health sector start-up companies, health centers, research laboratories, and academic research settings.

The Indian Field Seminar is designed to help students:

Examine the emerging global market in the health sector.

Understand the complex interacting dynamics of economic development, international competition, government policy, and entrepreneurial initiative in a key emerging country.

Evaluate more efficient and effective development and delivery models created in an environment of limited resources.

Identify business opportunities in the health sector presented by rapid development in India and other emerging countries. Understand the long-term trends of linkages that will develop and the complex market dynamics that will be created.

Understand the role of entrepreneurial initiative in creating new ventures across the life science product and delivery arenas.

Analyze and compare business strategies that seek to align business goals with both societal goals and emerging markets and revenue streams.

Explore and evaluate the use of strategic alliances, public-private partnerships, and multiple financing mechanisms to support new venture development.

Europe

This study program will include visits to businesses and government organizations and lectures from European specialists. The seminar will cover a broad range of topics, including macro economic policy, European integration, finance, marketing and communication, international trade, and business culture. The European Field Seminar will introduce students to current issues firms face in the European environment. Introduction of a single European currency, increased emphasis on privatization of traditionally state-owned corporations and a growing influence of the European Union institutions are examples that are changing the European competitive landscape.

You will travel to The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Hungary for two weeks. In order to gain an appreciation of the new European environment (including the new member states), we will visit the European Commission as well as a national agency that advises both government and companies regarding the European economy. We will also visit prominent firms in the private sector, both in the new and old economy, in the industrial, agricultural and service sectors. Visit the European Field Seminar course page for additional information and resources.

Asia

How do we prepare for the emerging opportunities and challenges that China’s economic development and Asia’s growing presence continue to create? This seminar through six cities in China and Korea provides future global business leaders with an opportunity to contemplate answers to the above question. Learn More

Where does the trip go:

China: Beijing, Tianjin, ShanghaiKorea: Seoul, Suwon, Incheon

The travel leg of the program lasts about two weeks, and the program fee, in addition to the standard tuition, covers intra-continental travel, lodging, breakfasts, and local transport, as well as site admissions and guided tours. Students will go on-site to companies and organizations that represent core concepts students study in the months leading up to the trip. In addition to hands-on learning, students are given ample time in the evening and on weekends to explore the culture of the destination countries.

We will visit companies (both multinational and local) competing in the dynamic Asian market, meet governmental officials to hear about policies and implications, learn from local MBA professors about what they see our strengths and weaknesses as, participate in real market activities, and develop a global network of knowledge with local MBA students and BU alumni in the region. Through this process, students will deepen their understanding of the unique nature of opportunities and challenges in the region, become more comfortable with the myriads of cultural and communicational details, and explore professional opportunities located in the region.

A series of pre-departure sessions will introduce the students to the recent development and future trajectories of the regional economies, along with key elements associated with competing in the markets. Students will also be required to select and develop an in-depth research agenda during the pre-departure sessions. This research agenda will work as the guiding framework for each student during the program. Students will write a final paper after concluding the trip.